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United States Patent | 6,241,753 |
Knowlton | June 5, 2001 |
A method is disclosed for forming and contracting scar collagen below a tissue surface in a selected tissue site. An electromagnetic energy apparatus is provided and includes an electromagnetic energy source and a delivery device. The delivery device is positioned on the tissue surface. Electromagnetic energy is produced from the electromagnetic energy source and delivered through the tissue surface to the selected tissue site for a sufficient time to induce scar collagen formation in the selected tissue site. No more than a second degree burn is formed on the tissue surface. The scar collagen is then contracted. This method is particularly useful in tissue sites that are devoid or deficient in collagen.
Inventors: | Knowlton; Edward W. (Danville, CA) |
Assignee: | Thermage, Inc. (Hayward, CA) |
Appl. No.: | 583815 |
Filed: | January 5, 1996 |
Current U.S. Class: | 607/99; 128/898; 600/21; 600/22; 600/23; 600/24; 600/25; 600/26; 600/27; 600/28; 607/96; 607/98; 607/100; 607/101; 607/102; 607/103; 607/104; 607/105 |
Intern'l Class: | A61F 007/00 |
Field of Search: | 128/898 606/27-34,40-52 607/96-105,108-114 |
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